Multiple-station automatic machine



. May' 1o, 1927.

F. E. BEST MULTIPLE STATION AUTOMATIC MACHINE Filed Jan. 1o.' 1924 17 sheets-sheet 1 May '10, 1927.

F. E. BEST MULTIPLE STATIONA AUTOMATIC MACHINE Filed Jan 1o, 1924 17 sheets-sheet 2 NVENTU May 10, 1927. 1,628,103

F. E. BEST MULTIPLE STATION AUTOMATC MACHINE 'May 1o, 1927. 1,628,103

FLE. BEST MULTIPLEl STATION AUTOMATIC MACHINE Filed Jan. 10.1924 17 Sheets-Sheet 4 4 null-Inn May 10,1921. 1,628,103

F. E. BEST MULTIPLE STAT-10N AUTOMATIC MACHINE Filed Jan,10. 1924 f7 Sheets-Sheet 5 May Y1o, 1921. F' E BEST MULTIPLE STATION AUTOMATIC MACHINE Filed Jan 10, 1924 17 Sheets-Sheet 6 |09 no g4 95 May 10,1927. F. E BEST' 1,628,103

I MULTIPLE STATION AUTOMATIC MACHINE Filed Jan l0,v 1924 17 Sheets-Sheet 7 "um wm ill' ay 7 F. E. BEST MULTIPLE' sTATloN AUTOMATIC MACHINE Filed Jan, 10, i924 1'7" Sheets-Sheet 8 F. E. BEST MULTIPLE STATION AUTOMATIC MACHINE May 10, 1927;

A1'7 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed Jan. l0, 1924 May 10 1927.

F. E. BEST MULTIPLE STATIN AUTOMATIC MACHINE 1'7 Sheets-Sheet lO Filed Jan. 10. 1924 ffg- .7.5

M lo 1927 F. E. BEST MULTIPLE STATON AUTOMATIC MACHINE 17 Sheets-Sheet l1 y lo 7 F. E. BEST MULTIFLE STATION AUTOMATIC MACHINE Filed Jan, l0,` 1924 17 Shee'gs-Sheet .412

' A1,628.10 May 10, 1927. F. E. BEST i 3 MULTIPLE STATION AUTOMATIC MACHINE Filed Jan, l0,4 1924 1'7 Sheets-Sheet 13 no l 44e 445 F. E. BEST 17 Sheets-Sheet 14 Filed Jan. l0, 1924 Llllllllllllltl//f W (wmf May l0, 1927.

MULTIPLE STATION AuToMATc MACHINE 1 A nl May F. E. BEST MULTIPLE STATION AUTOMATIC MCHINE Filed Jan. lO, 1924 17 Sheets-Sheet 15 y F. E. BEST MULTIPLE STATION AUTOMATIC MACHINE Filed Jan, 10. 1924. 17 sheets-sheet 1.6

v.Maly 10,1921.

F. E. BEST MULTIPLE STATION AUTOMATIC MACHINE 1v. Sheets-sheet 1v Filed Jan. l0. 1924 or' ...ig

fl l) Patented May 10, 1927.

UNlTED STATES FRANK ELLISON BEST, OF SEATTLE, WASHINGTON.

MULTIPLE-STATN E UEMATC MACHINE.

Application filed January 10, 1924. Serial No. 685,382.`

My invention relates to iinprovem-ents in multiple station automaticy machines and the object of my iniprox'ement is to provide an automatic machine of lai-re cairiacity that is capable of turning-jf out worlr of great accuracy at a very rapid rate and that rcipiires very little attention and is very econinnical in operation.

Other objects are to provide :in auloinaiic machine of the upright or vertical type which is relatively simple in construction as compared to the worlr it derlned to perform and inwhich all of the operatingr parts are freely and easily accessible for purposes of adjustment, repair or replacement.

Further objects are to provide an automatic machine of 'this nature having; :i normally horizontal work (arryingg table mounted for indexingmovement on a vertical axis and provided around its periphery 'with a plurality of work clamping' hands arranged to clamp and hold work and to be indexed or turned into various adjustel positions so that the work is made acctsihle to various driven tools and te: ip: devices that are supported for vertical movement at the several statioiis below the work clamping` hands.

A further object is to provide a multiple spindle automatic machine of this nature having at one station vertically movable breach rneclianisni by which a breaching` operation may be done on the worlf: that is bein` operated on at the other stations by Avarious forms of rotating;y tools.

.i further objc-.ct is to provide a machine of this nature having,` an axially disposed gear bei; from which all tool driving; and cam driving shafts radiate, said L rar box being provided with two sets of bevel gears, each set comprisingl two fears between which are (.lisposed a plurality of driven pinions thus affording` a power transmission of great etliciency in which strains, wear and vibration are reduced to a minimum,

Further objects are to provide safety devices :it all vital points so that all possible danger of doma` serious dama-gre to the machine in case of accident will be eliminated.

Other and more specific objects will-be apparent from the following description tal'cen in eonnectioi'i with the acconipanyingi' drawings i In this application l have disclosed a nmltiple station automatic machine that is adapted for 3er-forming certain drilling,`

broacliing, millingq and testing operations on a key plug of a form used in pin tumbler locks but it will be understood that this disclosure is merely illustrative and that the machine is capable of being adapted to various forms ot work involving` tools of many different shapes and sizes.

ln the drawings Figure l is a view in side elevation of a multiple station automatic machine ofthe class described..

Fig. is a plan View of the same.

Figi'. 3 is a view in vertical section of the same substantially on vertical line 3 3 of Fie'. 2.

-il- .is a view in horizontal section substantially on broken line 4-4 of Fig.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view on a larger scale than Fig. 3 showingcertain parte that are omitted from Fig. 3. i

Flic'. t5 is a fragmentary sectional view showing parts of the machine.

Fig'. i' is a detached fragmentary view partly in plan and partly in section of certain portions of the driving mechanism embodied in the invention.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view sub` stantially on broken line 8 8 of Fig. 2

showingl certain mechanism by which the blanks or pieces of wor r are loaded. into the machine.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view in elevation of the loading devices shown in Fig. 8.

F ig. l0 is a fragmentary detail partly in section and partly in elevation showing mechanism for controlling' the feedingl of the blank pieces of work to the loading devices.

'Fig ll is a fragmentary view partly in section and partly in elevation showingI the mechanism of a typical drilling` station.

l2 is a sectional view substantially on broken line ft2-i2 of Fig. ll, showing certain parts in elevation.

Fig. i3 is ay sectional view on a larger scale illustrating the mechanism at a drilling; station.

Fig. lli is a sectional viex7 showingmechanism for testing a flat milling operation.

Fig. 15 is a sectional view showing mechanism for testing drilling` Work.

Fig. lo is a perspective view partly in cross section showing a work holding hand.

lille. i7 is a` view in vertical section showing the work holdingl hand and certain parts of the machine that operate in connection therewith.

Fig. 18 is a detached view in perspective of a work clamping plate used in the work holding` hand.

ii`ig. i9 is a detached view in perspective ot mechanism that is used i'or actuating the locking` devices. p

Fig. 20 is detached perspective View showing a guide bracket lor a ioclting member.

Fig. 2l is a detached perspective view showing a locking nieiiibei' arraniedv to opel ate in the tguide bracket shown .in lii Fin. 22 a fragmentary sectie` il View showing` certain mechanism tor unioadinpj or ejecting the linisl ed 'work troni the machine.

Fig. 23 is a detached view partly in elevation and partly in cross section oi paris oi' breach operating mechanism.

Fig. 2d is a \"ertical sectional. view Vlliroiip'li the broach mechanism sulisiaiitiaily on breiten line 2li-2st of 2.

Fig. 25 is a detached view in cross section oit' a broach guide and bi'oach bar substantially on a broken line 'Z5-25 olf Fig. En.

liip'. 26 is a view in vertical. section ol the breach bar substantially on broken line 2te-26' of Eig. 25.

Fig. 27 is a jlfrap'n'ientaijv sectional view ot the lower end of the broach bai' l'alicu 'on line 527- i" ot Fig. :25.

iiig. 28 is a detached sectional view on a. larger scale of parts ol tie breach driving.;` mechanism.

liigg. 29 a plan View on line Btl-29 of Fig. 2S.

Fig. 30 is a View partly in plan and partly in horizontal section siibi-itantiailjf' on bi'olien line E30-30 of tl showing' the base portion oli the housing` and parts oi the breach indexinp` mechanism.

Fig. 2li is a iiraginentarv view partly in section and partly in elevation showing;a mechanism used for tei-itin);r the woi'lc oiC the broachiim` tools and 'for burring;` or cleaning; out the slot il'orined by said bi'oaching tools.

Fig. 325 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view oit electrical contact nnilriiip; devices used in the apparatus shown in l? i a'. 3l.

Fig. 33 a somewhat iliagrainniatic view showing; electrical control and safety devices.

Fig. 3ft a somewhat diagrammatic i'iew showing the arrangement ot certain hydrain lic operating mechanism.

Figs. 35 and 3G are perspective views showing` a ley plug blank as it mayv appear before being' fed into this machine and zitter it has passed through the machinel respectively.

liilre reference niunerals designa te like parts throughout the severi l views.

The accompanyii'ie' drawings show a multiple station automatic machine einmidyina` a lower frame that rests upon and is seand that supports au cured to a base fr. Lipper :trame 3i' which is rigidly secured thereto, Figs. l, 2, 3, and e. rthe lower iframe is provided with a plurality of manholes 38 through which entrance may be had to the interior and is further pro vided on one side at the bottom with an opening 3S) through which extends a ajc-ai' housing ad), Figs. 3, and 3U, that is sccured to the base 'ihe lower tir-ame is recessed or indented as at fil above the opening 39 to ai'l'ord working clearance space toi' breach mechanism hereina'lfier iflescribed and is provided adjacent the rece jed portion with a flattened portion or pad irl to which a bracket flthat supports a lower gear housing, il and an upper rear liousiin; ifi may be secured.

'ihe upper frame portion 3T provided with an indentation sin.) Fig'. l7 that r with the i.=.ideiitati ni il in the iowei portion 3.5. i

'ihe upper iframe ciiiiisisls oi' a lower ring-like portion Il?, Fin'. l, and an upper ring-like portion -iS that are integral with, and supported in spaced apart rela tion by web members i0 that iic in radial planes and by a l'luted portion 5() that is directly abore the web Vmembers t). '.ihe web portions aoriil radial p gew-.nys YAfor the operation oi" parts hereina iter described and other passagrcways 5i.. 2,3 and l. are provided ai' the upper ends oi the l'iuied por tion 5U, through which tools may lie raised into engagement with the worh.

A web formed of radially arranged. spokelilie members 52 that converge in an axially arranged hub bea 'ing 52, ii'ijgs. 2 and 25, is provided in the plane olt the lower edge olf the upper ringlile portion i8 and said upA per ringlilie portion is provided with a phr rality of radial holes tiel o' larp'e enough size so that a work clfiii'iping' hand may be iiiserted and moved therethrough.

1li work table mounted on :i centi-alli' arranged ball thrust bearing 5G. lilies. and

(3, and arranged to be i )tated in 'the upper portion ot the upper housing', said worlr table having a peripheral riin portion 5i.. Figs. 3, (3 and li' that .lits within a recess 58 in the upper portion ot the lions-hie' and the lower edge ot' which rests li-' `itly on :i shoulder 59 formed in the housing. ihc thrust bearing 5G rests on the hub 52S and is supported on an axial sleeve Gil.

rlihe work clampingl hands, ot which twenty are infovided in the machine. are cai'- ried in the work table that is rotatahlv mounted by means oi. bearing' 56 on the ceiitral stem or sleeve (30 and that is arranged. to be indexed as hereinafter describei'l to move the hands successively to the various sta-tions.

The hand, Figs. 2, 5%, (l. 8, lil, i7, 'lo and 2:. designated generally by the numeral. (il. which may be made from a solid steel cvlin# der. has a short axial bearing' stud (32 ai' ouc end that is journaled in a bearing Gli and liti lill

l a p as- Lit) has a longer tubular axial bearing stud G4 at the other end thatA is journaled in a bearing` and is internally provided with a spiral thread GG arranged to ht within a spiral groove (3T in a shaft (3S. The sha'tt (38.

is rotatalfily supported in a. bearingl til) and is rigidly connected with a block 7 (l having a cam roller 71 that operates in a cam slot 72 in a tixed cam plate 725, Figs. Q, 8 and 12, that is supported in a cam plate bracket 74C which is rigidly secured to the frame. As the work table indexes or moves trom one posit-ion to another the cam .slot 72 moves the shaft. (i8 and turns the hand G1 iutothe proper position to tacilitate the application olf tools to the work.

'.llhe hand is provided with a cylindrical recess 75, Figs. 1G and 17, extending diametrically therethrough, the upper end oi which is arranged to receive any piece ot work, as a key plug blank, said recess having an annular enlargement 76 within which a ilange 77 on the end ol the key plugl 7S, Figs. 35 and 3G, may rest. A plug,Y clamping slide TS), Figi'. 18, movable li'intitudinally in isae'eway in the hand (31 is arranged to clamp a key plug blank and hold the same in place within the hand, said slide having a pertoratioi'i il() through which a plugi` may he inserted, a slot Sil tor thel reception ot a dritt SQ, Fig'. 17, and an opening` 82E. that is positioned above the plug,l blank when the slide is in the clamping' Vposition to attord access ot tools to the plug, said last. named opening havingi( a slot 84C enteringr troni one side ot the slide and intersecting` the same, through which a breaching` tool may oper ate. A slot 85 in the hand correspondiiui' in position and shape to the slot 84 in the slide is provided throughout the entire length ot the recess 7.3 to permit operation ot the lirouchinn` tool.

The dritt 82 operates through a passageway 8G in the hand and has an inclined lace S7 that engages with the edge ot' the slot 81 in the plug` (i'lainpingj,l slide 79.v

Ball. or roller bearings S8 rollingl between relative y inclined trackways 8l) and 90 on the plug clamping' slide 79 and wall ot the hand (il crowd the plug' clamping4 slide securely down onto the top oi" the plug blank when the slide is moved by the dritt SQ.

'lhe inner end ot each hand is provided with outwardly protruding stud pins 91 that are arrangedv to lit within pertorations 92 in a lorkiru member 923 the ends of the pins 91 being); tapered ott' as shown in. Figi'. 17 to insure registration with the perforations 92 and to cause the hand G1 to he positioned with enactness by the locking` member 93.

l'lhe plugr clamping hand tlattened on one side as at Slat to provide astop surface and to atlord clearance for the operation of the breach mechanisn'i and said hand has a. cavity 953 on the opposite side into which sheltf 5S) ot the traine.

suitable drilling and testing tools may enter, the` cavity 95 being,r connected with the recess 7 5 in which the plug is held by a slot 96 and a plurality ot' guide holes 97 being provided in the hand, Ysaid guide holes extending troni the bottom ot the cavity 95 to the tiattened side 94; to receive guide pins on tools hereinafter describedv for the purpose of accurately positioning the tools.

its each hand (51 is moved around the inachine to the various (.litierent stations it is turned by the cam 72 into the correct position to be worked on by the ditferent tools.

The locking; members 93, Figs. 20 and 2l are each arranged to slide within a guideway 98 in a guide member 99. llacli locking member is provided with an outwardly protrudingl shank 100 having` a liange lill. arranged to lock within a notch 102 in the rim lgiortiim 57 oi the work table and another 'tlai'uie li'l arranged to press downwardly on the 'lange ot the work table. The outer. ends ot 'he tlai'iiges 101 and 103 are inclined as shown in Fig. 21 so that when the lock" ing` membt-ir is inoved outwardly `the work 'table will tirst heI accurately positioned and will then be clamped down on the tlange or Provision is niade for causing,- part o'tthe positioning members 'around the work table to l'irst position and lock the table and the remainingI poeitionin` members 'to then clamp 'the work tablefdown ou the 'ilange or shelii 5S).

il.. block 'iOl carried by eachl locking inember Sli-l has holes 92 therein which lit. over the studs 91 on the end ot the hand ol to position the hand. Suitable means are provided i'or securing,` the blocks 10ft to the lockini; members 93 in such a manner that the position ot the block may be accurately adjusted. Gib plates 105 are secured to the `:guide nieinber Slt) hy screws 10b and serre as adjustable bearings for the locking mem* bers 93.

The lockingA nienibers 9&3 are pivotally couneeted with the outer. `ends ot sleeves 10%), Figs. 2, -i and G that fit telescopically over rods which are pivotaily connected et their inner ends with the peripheral por tion ot' a disc '111, that is secured on the upper end ot' a vertically movable sha'tt 112. A compression spring' 1115 is interposed between the end ot each sleeve 109 and a shoulder on each rod `110 and each sleeve is provided. with a longitudinal slot 114; within which disposed a pin 115 that extends crosswise ot and is rigidly secured to the rod 110.

The vertically movable shaft 112 is arranged to be raised and lowered by a lever arm. 116, Figs. and 1S), that is mounted on a fulcruin 117, in a 'frame 118. Guided in a guideway 119 in the traine 1S is a block 120 havingy a slot Y121 "'wherein mounted a roller 122 that .tits within a slot lill) llO 

